3:10 to Yuma

The remake of "3:10 to Yuma" doesn't quite best the original film, the well-regarded 1957 Western that cast Glenn Ford against type and co-starred Van Heflin.

But surprisingly, this new version does hold its own. In fact, this tense character piece offers proof that Hollywood can still make a good, traditional Western, rather than emulating the revisionist Westerns that have followed in the wake of Clint Eastwood's 1993 Academy Award-winner "Unforgiven."

Director James Mangold ("Walk the Line") and three credited screenwriters have expanded Elmore Leonard's story (the 1957 film clocked in at just 92 minutes) by adding a few more character shadings and making the twist ending a little more convoluted.

But at the film's center is a terrific acting duel between Russell Crowe and Christian Bale (in the Ford and Heflin roles, respectively).

Bale stars as Dan Evans, a cash-strapped Civil War veteran who's in danger of losing his Arizona ranch. He's also close to losing the affections of his wife (Gretchen Mol) and his teenage son (Logan Lerman), who looks at the soft-spoken pacifist with disgust.

Perhaps that's why Dan has agreed to temporarily house — and then help guard and transport — Ben Wade (Russell Crowe), a notorious train and stagecoach robber.

Dan and the others need to get Wade to a nearby town and get him on the train — hence, the film's title. Meanwhile, Wade's gang, led by the psychotic Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), is in hot pursuit. Sensing some hesitation on Dan's part, the charismatic Wade offers to pay the rancher off if he'll simply let him go.

Filmmaker Mangold clearly loves this material (he even referenced the earlier version in his 1997 crime drama "Cop Land"). And for a modestly budgeted movie, it looks terrific, especially the spectacular New Mexico locations.

And Bale's and Crowe's performances are very good. It's fascinating to watch these two characters play out a game of moral superiority.

The supporting cast is also good. Alan Tudyk offers some welcome comic relief as the town doctor, Peter Fonda is his usual gruff, grizzled self as a Pinkerton agent, and Foster makes a convincing killer.

"3:10 to Yuma" is rated R for strong scenes of violence (shootings, beatings and some explosive mayhem), gore and blood, scattered, strong sexual profanity, slurs based on race and ethnicity, some suggestive language, nude drawings and partial female nudity, and a scene of torture. Running time: 117 minutes.

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